Fishing gears and crafts of the Kashmir Himalayas: a baseline for sustainable fishery management

AbstractThe present study documents the traditional fishing gears and crafts employed in the Kashmir Himalayas, with a focus on their design, operation, and implications for fishery management. Field surveys and interviews with local fishers revealed seven types of gears, including gill nets, cast nets, scoop nets, bag nets, and double- pronged spears, along with three types of non-mechanized wooden crafts constructed mainly from Cedrus deodara. These gears vary in mesh size, material, and operational mode, reflecting adaptations to local hydrological conditions and target species such as Schizothorax spp. and carps. While deeply rooted in indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage, several gears, particularly gill nets, pose risks to fish populations due to indiscriminate catch of juveniles. The study highlights the urgent need for regulating mesh sizes, raise awareness among fishing communities, and integrate traditional knowledge into sustainable fishery management strategies. Preservation of these indigenous gears and crafts also carries anthropological value, representing the cultural identity and livelihood resilience of Himalayan fishing communities.